Transforming Communities in Christ Annual Report 2014-2015 Diaconal Ministries Canada
Dear Friends, The church can be a profound agent of transformation in its community. Even with its imperfections, the church becomes something beautiful when walls dissolve and relationships develop. It is only by God s grace and it is because of God s grace. This past year, Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC) was privileged once again to hear stories of transformation and grace. But not only that, DMC was also privileged to walk with many Canadian CRCs, equipping deacons and doing justice, as they engaged their communities with Christ s love. This report is just a small glimpse into what God is doing in communities across Canada. Thank-you for letting us walk with you, whether through our resources, our staff, equipping events, meetings, or the work of the Diaconal Ministry Developers. Thank-you also for your support, through prayer, Operation Manna giving, and Diaconal Ministry shares. May God bless and lead as we transform communities in Christ together. Shalom. Hans Kater National Director Diaconal Ministries Canada DMC Staff Update: Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC) has enjoyed the presence of Katie Karsten since 2002. She decided to transition out of her formal role with DMC on June 30, 2015. For many years, Katie has blessed the DMC network with her person, gifts, talents and passion. We give thanks for her dedication to DMC and diaconal ministry, especially in her role as Justice Mobilizer. This role is now being filled by Dan Galenkamp. -2-
financial resources Where DMC s Resources Come From Diaconal Ministry Shares (58.2%) Church Offerings for Operation Manna (37.1%) Church Offerings for General Programs (3.3%) Individual Donations (1.0%) Other (0.3%) Total Revenue (2014-2015): $516,595.00 Where DMC s Resources Were Used Diaconal Ministry Developer (DMD) Services (9%) Operation Manna Development Services (12%) Operation Manna Grants (20%) Operation Manna Administration (7%) Board & Committees (3%) Services, Operation & General (8%) DMC Management (41%) DMC Promotion (1%) Total Expenditures (2014-2015): $560,440.00 www.diaconalministries.com
equipping deacons DMC equips deacons by instilling vision and by providing skill development resources. In the past year... Diaconal Ministry Developers (DMDs) were active across Canada, ready to serve, support, equip and bless deacons. On average, DMDs contacted 75% of diaconates across Canada, and visited or equipped 59%. Deacons Gain Focus Through a Workplan workplan has helped us as deacons to focus and delegate tasks at our meetings. This brought about a good conversation and the other deacons were encouraged to consider using this resource in their diaconates. Our work plan revolves around the four main areas of why deacons are who they are: This past spring, DMD Bill Groot-Nibbelink organized a gathering for deacons of area churches. The deacons got together to share stories of their ministries and resources that they had found helpful. What great stories were shared! SHOW MERCY INSPIRE GIVING MINISTER TO POOR SOCIAL JUSTICE Each category has two to three ongoing issues that the It was at this gathering that I shared with the group about the workplan that our diaconate uses and has deacons will have to attend to at any given point in the year. Each deacon takes a few issues and is responsible been using for several years (suggested to us by -4- for them during their three-year term. Each meeting, the former DMDs Renee and Bev). I shared how the
At least 5 diaconal gatherings took place across Canada. 2 Days of Encouragement happened last year, attended by over 600 people. The electronic newsletter equip went out monthly, providing resources and info for deacons. As the chairs forwarded it, over 1000 deacons (on average) opened it every month. workplan issues are looked at, discussed, changed, or taken off, if they no longer require attention. I really recommend the workplan model as a great way to unify your deacons and to make things easier to understand for first-time deacons. -Bryce Smit (Brighton CRC, Ontario) (need a workplan template? Go online: www.diaconalministries.com) www.diaconalministries.com
engaging communities DMC motivates churches to engage in God s transforming work in their neighbourhoods. DMC walks with churches through the Community Opportunity Scan (COS) process -a process of discovery which affirms the unique gifts and needs of the community and church to develop community ministry. In the past year... churches across Canada inquired about a community mapping tool like the COS. churches either began a new community ministry or partnered with an existing ministry/ organization/church churches developed a new community ministry with the involvement of Operation Manna churches (who completed the COS in the past year) remain engaged in their communities. DMC encourages community ministry through the Operation Manna (OM) program by providing grants, coaching & support for community ministries connected to CRCs. -6- Currently there are 12 Operation Manna partners across Canada (see map, right) 181 churches (including 5 new) gave $216,887 for OM through the May offering. Thanks to the deacons for their leadership and the churches for their generosity supporting the Operation Manna offering.
Simcoe Churches Serve Their Community in Love In response to the desire for our churches to be more of a blessing in Simcoe, Ontario, a team of believers from several denominations came together in 2007 to do a Community Opportunity Scan (COS). Since that time, God has opened doors of opportunity for Church Out Serving. It has blossomed into a care ministry that serves neighbours in practical ways, drawing Christian believers together who are committed to making a difference, particularly in the area of poverty. Here are some of the ways Church Out Serving is involved in its community: We Believe in Simcoe - a free festival which includes an Activity Fair, filled with gifts and services for our neighbours and a fireworks celebration (see left). Donation Station The Gathering Food Centre - a fresh and processed on-site food hub which will rescue surplus food to share with organizations that offer healthy food for people with need. Celebrate Recovery -a community faith-based Support program First Serving Dinners - a free community meal held 3 Monday evenings a month. We have a new appreciation and love for our community. Our community leaders and citizens are genuinely intrigued with our faith-inaction, and are supportive. Hundreds of brothers and sisters in Christ are getting to know each other as we love and serve together. And we are experiencing God - personally and all together - His passion and compassion, His guidance and provision, His justice and grace, His purpose and gifts. Thank you, DMC (especially Tammy Heidbuurt), for all of your help and encouragement. Here in Simcoe, God is using the humble beginnings of the Community Opportunity Scan to prove that where there is love, there is hope for us all. - written by members of the Church Out Serving churches inquired about Operation Manna in the past year. Operation Manna Partners - Mission Montreal (network of missional communities of Christian Direction, QB) - Freedom Session Ministry (Westside Fellowship CRC, Kingston, ON) - Barrie Pregnancy Resource Centre (ON) - Community Engagement Ministry (New Life CRC, Guelph, ON) - Mishkeegogamang Jr. Leadership Program (ON) - Hope Centre Ministries (Winnipeg, MB) - Indigenous Family Centre (Winnipeg, MB) - Neighbour Centre (Edmonton, AB) - Edmonton Native Healing Centre (AB) - Life Recovery (Abbotsford, BC) - Neighbourhood Dinner (The Bridge Community Church, Langley, BC) - Studio Works (a program of Mission Possible, Vancouver, BC) www.diaconalministries.com
DMC equips deacons to mobilize churches to respond to injustices affecting people in their communities. doing justice In the past year... 11 areas of social justice -8- Diaconal Ministries Canada provided links, resources, and suggestions for action in 11 areas of social justice including Creation Care, Human Trafficking, Restorative Justice, and vulnerable people groups.
Agencies/ organizations in partnership CRCs are increasingly accessing the justice materials on the DMC website and addressing injustices through their community ministries. DMC continues to partner with World Renew (refugee program), Disability Concerns, the Office of Social justice and other agencies, highlighting the call to do justice. Just Faith? Drama DMC collaborated with other agencies in the Justice and Faith project. Results from surveying Canadian CRC members were written into a drama (see below) showcased across Canada during community forums which DMC staff helped to organize. made to immigrate to another country. Another person tries to have us understand what it is like to think about the terrible things happening in their home country, Syria. communities, Just Faith? will raise good questions and cause us to JustFaith? is an effective and search for the answers to lead to energetic one-act play that talks about justice and hope both for us and justice and injustice. JustFaith? was others. presented in a effective way. From its -by attendee Grace Schouten opening scene of a typical Sunday morning After the short play, we had small (below) service (with shiny faces and plenty of group discussions. We talked about Good mornings!) to scenes of the homeless questions such as, 'What stood out to you in downtown cores or the personal stories in the play?' 'Where do you see injustice of individuals trying to respond to injustice in your life?' and more. After talking in their lives, JustFaith? showed how people about these questions as a small group struggle to find justice and fix injustice. we shared our answers with everyone. The drama follows 5 people who all JustFaith? is a great drama to share personal stories of how the cry of re-open our eyes and re-awaken our injustice is very loud in their lives. One hearts to the groanings of injustice in shares the heartache of having their mother our world and the deep-seeded effects of called a mule just because she is a woman sin that touch all of our lives. A great and the incredible effort and sacrifice she drama for all kinds of Christian www.diaconalministries.com
-10- DMC s Board of Directors 2015-2016 Staff: Classis: Alberta North: Alberta South/SK: British Columbia S/E: British Columbia N/W: Chatham: Eastern Canada: Hamilton: Huron: Lake Superior Niagara: Quinte: Toronto: Name: Norm Haayema John Knibbe Michael Prins Melissa Van Dyk Jane Adema Ineke Neutel Scott Plante* Mechele tebrake* Erika Snippe-Juurakko* Peter Kralt Coby Suurdt Lesley Millar Toussaint *pending AGM approval Hans Kater, National Director hkater@crcna.org Madeline Robins, Executive Assistant mrobins@crcna.org Dan Galenkamp, Justice Mobilizer dgalenkamp@crcna.org Tammy Heidbuurt, Regional Ministry Developer, East theidbuurt@crcna.org Rachel Vroege, Regional Ministry Developer, West rvroege@crcna.org Marcia Mantel, Communications Coordinator mmantel@crcna.org Diaconal Ministry Developers (DMDs): Classis: Name: Email: Photo Credits Alberta North: Lucinda Klapwyk lklapwyk@yahoo.ca Alberta North: Harvey Buit hdbuit@gmail.com Alberta North: Henry Bosch henry.bosch@gmail.com Alberta South/SK: Kari DeRaaf kderaaf@yahoo.ca Alberta South/SK: Jean debeer jeandb3@gmail.com British Columbia S/E: Gary Veeneman gtveeneman@shaw.ca British Columbia S/E: Ron Vanden Brink ron@thewellkelowna.com British Columbia N/W: Bart Plugboer bartplugboer@hotmail.com British Columbia N/W: Gordon Pierik gpierik@shaw.ca Chatham: John Klein-Geltink john.kleingeltink@gmail.com Chatham: Ron DeSmit rdesmit@live.com Chatham: Doug VandeKamp djvandekamp@gmail.com E. Canada (Maritimes): Maarten van Oord mvanoord@aernet.ca E. Canada (Ontario): Anita Hogeveen anitahogeveen@gmail.com Hamilton: Dorothy Heidbuurt dorothyheidbuurt@gmail.com Huron: Fred VanderSterre fvandersterre@hurontel.on.ca Huron: Len Bakelaar rlbakelaar@hotmail.com Quinte: Bill Groot Nibbelink bill.grootnibbelink@gmail.com Toronto: Theody Corton cortontm@gmail.com Page 4-5: (background): The Ancaster Day of Encouragement, (r, t-b): DMDs and staff visit Studio Works and Union Gospel Mission, both in Vancouver, BC Page 6-7: (l-r): Shelimar Potter in Residence at Studio Works, the Operation Manna brochure, members of Church Out Serving Pages 8-9: (background): Woodynook CRC opens an Aboriginal art exhibit, other photos from the Just Faith? drama and forums.